Improvement in meat and pickle weights



M. MORIARTY. Meat and Pickle Weight.

No. 206,745. Patented Aug. 6, I878.

' & lnvemo wl'mess UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHEW MORIARTY, OF BANGOR, MAINE.

IMPROVEMENT IN MEAT AND PICKLE WEIGHTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 206,745, dated August6, 1878; application filed December 21, 1877.

others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompany drawing, forming a part ofthis specification, in which the figure shows a plan view of myinvention.

My invention consists of an improved device for keeping meat, 850.,under pickle or brine. It possesses several advantages not found in theordinary meatweights, so called, as it is capable of being held in anydesired position in the barrel, and when made of wood, as I prefer, doesnot sink to the bottom when released. Its lightness renders it easy tohandle and remove from the barrel when necessary, and it may be securedat the surface of the pickle or brine, so that the hands need not be wetwhen removing it.

My invention consists of a disk of a size to enter easily the head ofthe barrel in which it is to be used, and is provided wit-l1 prongsextending beyond its periphery, held out by springs, and also a handle,by which said prongs may be withdrawn. Reference to the accompanyingdrawing will explain it fully.

At a is the disk, preferably of wood, as I have stated, although slateor other material may be used, if desired. 1) b b are prongs running inguides c, and secured at their inner ends to handles d (I, also guidedby rods 0 0. These handles, and consequently the rods. are kept extendedby springs f.

When the device is to be used the handles are pressed together, drawingthe prongs inward and admitting the disk to the barrel. It is thenplaced in the desired position and the handles released. The springsforce them violently apart, driving the prongs outward and into the woodof the barrel. It is unnecessary to say that the prongs, when extended,must be long enough to extend across and enter the wood of the barrel atthe bulge in order to be effective at that point.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-- 1. In a device for keeping meat, &c., under pickle, the combinationof the disk and holdingprongs with extension springs andretracting-handles, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the disk a, prongs b, guides c c, springs f f, andhandles (1 (7, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this17th day of December, 187 7.

MATTHEW MORIARTY.

Witnesses:

WM. FRANKLIN SnAvnY, JOHN R. MASON.

